2008 PokerStars.com EPT London

This heads-up match has slowed down a bit. The American has a lead over the Swede but it appears that the two are playing small ball, despite Michael Martin's penchant for playing big pots.

Michael Martin 3,590,000
Michael Tureniec 2,415,000

Michael Martin raised to 210,000 and Michael Tureniec called from the big blind.

The flop came down and both players checked. The turn was the . Tureniec bet 220,000 and Martin called. The river fell the . Tureniec checked and after a bit of a dwell, Martin checked behind.

Turns out it was a good play for Martin. He held a nine for the bottom end of the straight while Tureniec tabled for the nut straight. Tureniec won the pot.

Michael Martin limped in from the small blind and Michael Tureniec checked his option from the big blind.

The flop was . Tureniec check-called Martin's 120,000 bet. The turn was the . Tureniec checked again, Martin bet 300,000 and Tureniec called. The fell on the river. Tureniec checked a third time, Martin bet 600,000 and Tureniec called.

Martin showed and Tureniec mucked.

The pot took our final two nearly back to where they started heads-up play, Martin with 4,360,000 and Tureniec with 1,645,000.

Michael Tureniec raised to 270,000 and Michael Martin called.

The flop was and both players checked. The turn was the . Tureniec checked, Martin bet 260,000 and Tureniec gave it up.

Michael Martin opened for 220,000 from the button, Michael Tureniec reraised to 625,000 and Martin folded.

Their stacks are evening up, Martin with 3,335,000 and Tureniec with 2,670,000.

Sometimes heads-up battles can last for several hours. In today's event, both final table players found themselves all in very early into their heads-up match. It seemed so simple. A race between a big ace and a middle pocket pair. Michael Martin found himself on the good side of the race with pocket sevens but it was Michael Tureniec's turn to collect a little magic. He flopped trip aces...but still sweated out the hand. The way that Martin has been running you almost expected that a seven was going to spike on the river to seal the victory for the young American. As is, his fate fell a different way and he doubled up the Swede.

Michael Martin moved all in from the button and Michael Tureniec called.

Tureniec:
Martin:

Tureniec won the race when the board ran out and he doubled up to 2,330,000. Martin fell to 3,675,000.

There are three minutes left in this level.